Stac Dhòmhnaill Chaim
Encyclopedia
Stac Dhòmnuill Chaim, or Stac Dhòmhnaill Chaim, is a fortified promontory located near Mangursta (or Mangersta, Scottish Gaelic: Mangarstadh) on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides
of Scotland. The stack
and its surrounding site is listed and protected as a scheduled monument, one of about 8,000 sites currently protected in Scotland. The site of the stack is located at . The site is named after Donald Cam Macaulay, the early 17th century hero of the Macaulays of Uig. The site was documented in the late 19th century, but today it is considered inaccessible. In 2003 and 2006, an archaeological team of rock climbers scaled the promontory and documented the site; finding in 2006 a piece of possibly Neolithic
pottery.
(grid reference ). It is said to be the traditional refuge of the early 17th century Uig
hero Donald Cam Macaulay, who was a chieftain of the Macaulays of Lewis. The 19th century historian F W L Thomas
stated that there were stories in Uig that recounted how Donald Cam's daughter, Anna Mhòr ("big Anne"), would carry water to her father upon her head because her hands were required to climb the treacherous path to the top.
In July 1969, the site was visited by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
(RCAHMS). By then the narrow path across the isthmus had deteriorated because of cliff falls and the site was considered to be inaccessible. The RCAHMS's observations from the opposite cliff concluded that the site seemed to appear as Thomas's plans had showed it in the late 19th century. In 1992, Stac Dhomnuill Chaim was added to the list of scheduled monuments and in consequence was given legal protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
. The area protected is irregular shaped, measuring a maximum of 200 metres (656.2 ft) northeast-southwest by 100 metres (328.1 ft) northwest-southeast. There are about 8,000 scheduled sites protected within Scotland. On the list the site is classified as "secular".
In 2003, the site was visited by members of the Severe Terrain Archaeological Campaign (STAC). At the time it was clear to the team that the coast was rapidly eroding the site. The building upon the site were also documented. The remains of structure A are of a circular, turf and stone building measuring to about 2 metres (6.6 ft) in diameter. The structure adjoins the perimeter wall (structure C) on the north-east edge of the stack. The structure has no apparent entrance. Structure B is the remains of a sub-rectangular turf and stone building, measuring 5 metres (16.4 ft) by 10 metres (32.8 ft) externally and 2 metres (6.6 ft) by 6 metres (19.7 ft) internally. The building occupies the centre of the stack and is separated from structure A by a narrow gap, which would likely have been wider before the deterioration of the structures. Structure B also has no apparent entrance. Structure C is the perimeter wall which is constructed of turf and stone. It extends from the northern end of the stack, down to the eastern side, to its southern end. The wall is hard to define at the southern end, though it is possible that it encloses two terraces on the south end of the stack. At the southern end of the second terrace there are the faint remains of a possibly earlier wall. It is possible this wall could represent an earlier and longer phase of the perimeter wall. Later in 2006, the site was visited by a local descendant of Dhomhnuill Chaim in conjunction with the STAC. During this visit a large piece of pottery was discovered which has since been identified as early prehistoric and possibly Neolithic.
Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
of Scotland. The stack
Stack (geology)
A stack is a geological landform consisting of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast, isolated by erosion. Stacks are formed through processes of coastal geomorphology, which are entirely natural. Time, wind and water are the only factors involved in the...
and its surrounding site is listed and protected as a scheduled monument, one of about 8,000 sites currently protected in Scotland. The site of the stack is located at . The site is named after Donald Cam Macaulay, the early 17th century hero of the Macaulays of Uig. The site was documented in the late 19th century, but today it is considered inaccessible. In 2003 and 2006, an archaeological team of rock climbers scaled the promontory and documented the site; finding in 2006 a piece of possibly Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
pottery.
Overview
Stac Dhomnuill Chaim when translated from Scottish Gaelic means "One-eyed Donald's stack". It is a promontory fort located near Mangursta on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer HebridesOuter Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
(grid reference ). It is said to be the traditional refuge of the early 17th century Uig
Uig, Lewis
Uig , also known as Sgìr' Ùig, is a civil parish and community on the western coast of the island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It consists of scattered settlements around the bay of Camas Uig and the Bhaltos peninsula...
hero Donald Cam Macaulay, who was a chieftain of the Macaulays of Lewis. The 19th century historian F W L Thomas
F. W. L. Thomas
Captain F. W. L. Thomas, c.1812-1885, RN, FSA was a naval officer, photographer, and historian. Thomas was a captain in the Royal Navy, a hydrographer working for the Admiralty , charting the waters around the Northern and Western isles of Scotland. He sailed with Captain Otter, on the HMS...
stated that there were stories in Uig that recounted how Donald Cam's daughter, Anna Mhòr ("big Anne"), would carry water to her father upon her head because her hands were required to climb the treacherous path to the top.
Description of the site
Stac Dhomnuill Chaim was documented in the late 19th century by the historian F W L Thomas who stated it was 100 feet (30.5 m) high and no more than 20 feet (6.1 m) long at the top. He described the promontory as almost cut off from the nearby shore by a very deep ravine, though it remained connected to the mainland by a rocky isthmus. The stack which is surrounded by the sea, was completely inaccessible except from the land side by a narrow path. According to Thomas this was guarded by 4 feet (1.2 m) to 5 feet (1.5 m) thick wall on the land side, in which there was a 2 foot (0.6096 m) gap or gateway on the southern side. Upon the stack, Thomas described the remains of a cottage measuring 18.5 feet (5.6 m) long and 10 feet (3 m) wide, with walls that are 4.5 feet (1.4 m) thick. Connected to the cottage were the remains of a sheep pen.In July 1969, the site was visited by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland is an executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government 'sponsored' [financed and with oversight] through Historic Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish Government...
(RCAHMS). By then the narrow path across the isthmus had deteriorated because of cliff falls and the site was considered to be inaccessible. The RCAHMS's observations from the opposite cliff concluded that the site seemed to appear as Thomas's plans had showed it in the late 19th century. In 1992, Stac Dhomnuill Chaim was added to the list of scheduled monuments and in consequence was given legal protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 or AMAAA was a law passed by the British government, the latest in a series of Ancient Monument Acts legislating to protect the archaeological heritage of Great Britain. Northern Ireland has its own legislation.Section 61 defines sites that...
. The area protected is irregular shaped, measuring a maximum of 200 metres (656.2 ft) northeast-southwest by 100 metres (328.1 ft) northwest-southeast. There are about 8,000 scheduled sites protected within Scotland. On the list the site is classified as "secular".
In 2003, the site was visited by members of the Severe Terrain Archaeological Campaign (STAC). At the time it was clear to the team that the coast was rapidly eroding the site. The building upon the site were also documented. The remains of structure A are of a circular, turf and stone building measuring to about 2 metres (6.6 ft) in diameter. The structure adjoins the perimeter wall (structure C) on the north-east edge of the stack. The structure has no apparent entrance. Structure B is the remains of a sub-rectangular turf and stone building, measuring 5 metres (16.4 ft) by 10 metres (32.8 ft) externally and 2 metres (6.6 ft) by 6 metres (19.7 ft) internally. The building occupies the centre of the stack and is separated from structure A by a narrow gap, which would likely have been wider before the deterioration of the structures. Structure B also has no apparent entrance. Structure C is the perimeter wall which is constructed of turf and stone. It extends from the northern end of the stack, down to the eastern side, to its southern end. The wall is hard to define at the southern end, though it is possible that it encloses two terraces on the south end of the stack. At the southern end of the second terrace there are the faint remains of a possibly earlier wall. It is possible this wall could represent an earlier and longer phase of the perimeter wall. Later in 2006, the site was visited by a local descendant of Dhomhnuill Chaim in conjunction with the STAC. During this visit a large piece of pottery was discovered which has since been identified as early prehistoric and possibly Neolithic.
See also
- History of the Western Isles
- LewisLewisLewis is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The total area of Lewis is ....
- Clan Macaulay of Lewis. the family and descendants of Donald Cam